The Weaver: Livingston Taylor’s Upcoming Venue and Personal Links
by Chaiel Schaffel
Part storyteller, part songwriter, Livingston Taylor is a master of captivating his audience. Taylor blends anecdotes from his personal life into each performance as he weaves an intricate bond with each listener. This lightening rod method of reigning in a crowd has won Taylor wide acclaim as a unique and talented entertainer. The Boston native is a natural at forming connections; as a professor at Berklee College of Music, he must do so with his students. Here on the Vineyard, however, Taylor’s connection is as deep as a lifetime of summers.
Livingston’s bond with the Vineyard spans more than half a century. Taylor has spent every summer here on the Vineyard since 1954, when he was three years old. Livingston owns a small cottage on the island, where he likes to practice songwriting and tinkers. According to the New York Times, Livingston finds that tinkering with old machinery helps clear his mind and problem-solve. Mr. Taylor ‘s family link to the island is also rich and expansive. His brother, Hugh Taylor, is the proprietor of the Outermost Inn in Aquinnah, while his mother Trudy Taylor still lives in the first home the family bought on the island in 1963.
Livingston is not the sole musical member of the Taylor clan. All of his siblings are talented musicians; Livingston’s brother, James Taylor, has won multiple grammy awards for his music, and his sister Kate is an accomplished performer, along with his brother Hugh. Among Livingston’s accomplishments are several Top 40 hits, such as “Boatman,” and an extensive touring record with hit acts including Jimmy Buffett and Jethro Tull. Taylor first started playing guitar at age thirteen, and hasn’t stopped since.
Fans of good music on the Vineyard looking to experience connection with Livingston need not despair. The artist is scheduled to perform a concert in Edgartown on Saturday, July 5th. Taylor will be performing at the the Old Whaling Church. Adding intrigue to the evening, Mr. Taylor is is set to have a surprise opening act. The evening will be built around capturing the audience with song, storytelling, and light humor. V.I.P seating is available to those who would like a more personal experience with Livingston, and will place fans in the first seven rows of the venue. Regular seating is available at a lower price, and the show begins at 7:30 PM. In all, the evening promises to be an enlightening experience, and all who attend are sure to be delighted by Livingston Taylor’s performing ability as he reaches out and connects here, in Martha’s Vineyard.
For more information about the concert, see our calender page.
Editors Note: Information from this article was taken from the websites of The New York Times, The Martha’s Vineyard Times, and www.livtaylor.com.
